SPORT FISHING FOR KING SALMON RESTRICTED IN THE PETERSBURG AND WRANGELL AREAS

The AlaskaDepartment of Fish and Game announced today king salmon sport fishing restrictions for the marine waters near the communities of Petersburg, Wrangell, and Kake.

In the majority of marine waters within the management area (Districts 6, 10 and portions of District 5, District 7, and District 9; see attached map) the retention of king salmon is prohibited, any king salmon caught must be released immediately from April 1 through June 14, 2018.

In the waters adjacent to the Stikine River (District 8 and a portion of Eastern Passage near Wrangell) the retention of king salmon is prohibited, any king salmon caught must be released immediately from April 1 through July 14, 2018.

A separate news release will be issued at a later date announcing king salmon regulations for locations where Alaskahatchery-produced king salmon are expected to return. Fishing opportunity in the Anita Bay terminal harvest area, Blind Slough terminal harvest area and City Creek release site will open June 1, 2018.

The 2018 preseason forecast for Stikine River king salmon is 6,900. This forecast indicates the escapement goal range (14,000-28,000) will not be met. Forecasts for other Southeast Alaska wild king salmon stocks are below goal as Southeast Alaska wild king salmon stocks are continuing to experience poor productivity. These actions are being taken as part of a regionwide effort to reduce harvest of Southeast Alaska wild king salmon and increase spawning escapement for future production. Management actions are being taken across all Southeast Alaska fisheries, including sport, commercial, personal use, and subsistence, to reduce harvest of wild king salmon. Anglers fishing north of the Petersburg/Wrangell area should review the news release announcing restrictions for the Juneau and Haines/Skagwayareas. Anglers fishing south of the Petersburg/Wrangell area should review the news release announcing restrictions for the Ketchikan area.

Regional king salmon resident and nonresident regulations scheduled to be released in April will not supersede these king salmon restrictions.